| The human immune system is a unique. It's purpose | | | | So, fresh fruit, green and red vegetables are the |
| is to recognise the body's invasion of viral enemies | | | | order of the day. Some fruit in particular has a high |
| and bacteria and destroy them. It can recognise viral | | | | proportion of Vitamin C. To name a few: |
| strains which it has encountered before and beat | | | | Strawberries, oranges, lemon and limes, avocados, |
| them off, but if the viral strain has mutated - | | | | kiwi fruit, blackcurrants, gogo berries. Berries contain |
| changed, even the smallest variance can trick it into | | | | phytonutrients which boost the immune system. It |
| thinking that it is a different species for which it has | | | | would do no harm to snack on these berries! |
| no defence, consequently we become ill and suffer. | | | | It is not a bad idea to take a daily supplement in the |
| With the prediction that the swine flu pandemic is | | | | winter months, available from all health stores. The |
| likely to return with a vengeance in the fall and | | | | recommended daily allowance (RDA) of Vitamin C is |
| winter months it is vital that we improve the immune | | | | 60 mg and 85 for pregnant women. Medical trials |
| system to withstand a sustained attack, particularly in | | | | conclude that 1000mg roughly twenty times the RDA |
| small children and pregnant women. Those over 65 | | | | has a protective effect against colds and flu. |
| seem to have developed some natural immunity | | | | Vitamin B6 boosts the production of antibodies to |
| against the current pandemic; maybe it's the case of | | | | fight infection. Recommended foods include bananas, |
| their immune system recognising this particular H1N1 | | | | carrots, fish, eggs, wholegrain cereals, and |
| strain. | | | | vegetables. |
| Vitamin C is without doubt the super master immune | | | | ZINC is an essential mineral to maintain a healthy |
| boosting nutrient. This water soluble nutrient is unable | | | | immune system and resistance to colds and flu. The |
| to be stored by the human body; therefore we need | | | | body stores only small amounts so a daily intake is |
| a constant daily supply. If we have too much, then it | | | | required to maintain a healthy diet. The best sources |
| just passed out of the body as a normal function. | | | | are: Oysters, which contain more zinc per serving |
| Scurvy was once the scourge of the old sailing ships, | | | | than any other natural food, also widely available in |
| where crews could be decimated on longer voyages | | | | red meat, chicken, yeast and eggs, all seeds, nuts |
| without fresh fruit and vegetables in their diet. We | | | | and wholegrain cereals. Pumpkin seeds and nuts |
| can thank the Englishman Captain James Cook who | | | | provide an essential source of this mineral for |
| realised the importance of vitamin C in the crews diet | | | | vegetarians as the 'veggie' diet is known to contain |
| particularly limes, as a result, most British sailors | | | | less zinc than a meat based diet. |
| became known as 'Limeys' in foreign climes. | | | | Over the counter lozenges which are available to help |
| It is a vital vitamin in creating healthy connective | | | | cold and flu symptoms contain zinc which can reduce |
| tissue such as the skin and walls of blood vessels and | | | | the severity of the cold and reduce the time span of |
| is an essential antioxidant. | | | | colds and flu. |
| Boost the Immune System | | | | |